Baby girl goes home after 15 months in hospital – Boston News, Weather, Sports

A little girl recently drove home from Franciscan Children’s Hospital in Brighton, marking a moment when 15 months was made for the baby and her family.

15-month-old Helen was born prematurely with a serious lung problem.

She has been in rehab and recently got well enough to join her twin sister and family at their Cape Cod home.

Helen was born in December 2021 – three months before her mother’s due date.

While Helen’s twin sister Alma was able to go home four months after she was born, Helen stayed at Franciscan Children’s until Wednesday.

Helen’s mother, Harriet Alexander, said it was an overwhelming experience for her and her wife Isabela.

“It’s been a really long journey for us as a family,” Alexander said. “But I think we’re feeling all with joy and excitement.”

“It’s amazing to see the girls playing together in the same house,” Alexander continued.

Alexander said the experience was also scary “because we’re bringing home a really medically complex kid and that comes with risks.”

Helen suffers from a chronic lung disease.

She underwent respiratory, physical, occupational and speech therapy at the hospital. Her mother said she hopes Helen, who is at home in North Falmouth with her twin sister, will make Helen stronger every day.

“I think that she will get physically stronger at home,” Alexander said. “She will have us around. She’ll have that normalcy of family life and I think that’s really important for the child’s development.”

Alexander said that despite all the difficulties, Helen’s journey has brought the whole family closer together.

“It’s a tough journey and there are ups and downs, as anyone will tell you,” Alexander said. “But it’s also very beautiful.”

“It’s a privilege to see these girls develop and grow,” Alexander continued.

Some of Helen’s current favorite pastimes are playing games and having books read to her. Her mother said Helen couldn’t wait to do all this with her sister.

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